The evening was the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Holy Ghost Prep athletics.
Last Wednesday’s 10-1 win over Archbishop Carroll marked the host Firebirds’ first appearance on the pitch as a bona fide member of the Philadelphia Catholic League. It was an occasion the veterans on the roster had been eagerly awaiting.
“I’m honesty honored,” said senior central midfielder Sean Fleming, one of the Firebirds’ captains. “As soon as we heard the news we were like ‘Let’s go, let’s lock in and let’s get into what the Catholic League is.’ I’m just really grateful to be in it. It’s amazing.
“The first game in, and many more to come.”
A longtime member of the Bicentennial Athletic League in all sports except ice hockey before adopting independent
status in 2020, Holy Ghost Prep had expressed interest in joining the PCL in the past but was rebuffed, in part because the school does not offer a football program.
The only other PCL all-male or co-ed school without football is Devon Prep, which moved to the PCL from the BAL in the fall of 2018.
Holy Ghost Prep assistant athletic director Jackie Gear says the move is a unique opportunity.
“Not just for our student athletes but for our whole school community,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for our students to be part of the electric environment that the PCL is, to just watch our school community flourish and give our boys an opportunity to play against real competition, as well as grow as athletes and grow as individuals.”
Amanda Kirby is in her first season as the Firebirds’ head coach. She is in her 15th season with the program, however, having spent 14 years as the freshman coach and an assistant to the now-retired Ken Lawson.
Kirby also chairs the school’s social studies department.
“I’ve been wanting to be part of the PCL since I started coaching here,” she said. “So seeing it and now finally getting that chance to show what we can do is really exciting.
“I’m pumped (and) the boys are pumped. It’s going to be a challenge. We’re really looking to move forward and make a presence on the field.”
Gear stresses the importance of the Holy Ghost athletic program being a fit with the school’s educational and spiritual mission.
“Our Spiritan mission is that we’re growing our boys to be upstanding, great young men,” she said, “and sports is just the avenue our boys have to get to that next level.”
On the pitch:
- The Firebirds broke the game open junior John Pawloski scored four consecutive goals in the game’s first 26 minutes. Owen Hanrahan, Kuba Kolasa, Fleming, Matthew Cole, Jake Andeosky, and Cole Strybuc added additional goals for Holy Ghost Prep, which recorded its first win against two losses (to Pennsbury and Conestoga) and a draw against Neshaminy.
- The Firebirds improved to 2-0 in the PCL with a 3-0 win over Lansdale Catholic on Sept. 11.
- Since Holy Ghost Prep is now part of the Philadelphia Catholic League, it is no longer part of District One; it is now a member of District 12.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Holy Ghost's Catholic League debut a smashing success with 2-0 start
